We’ve been hearing a lot about Russian hacking of Democratic (and perhaps Republican) email — with the apparent intent to influence the US election. Recently, US intelligence services were reported to have presented evidence of this. In response, some are proposing this information be provided to members of the Electoral College before they cast their votes. Others have suggested postponing the Electoral College vote until a Congressional investigation takes place.
These kinds of proposals beg the question whether the Russian hacking and/or intent to influence the US election are illegal under existing law.
(This may be a tricky question as other countries may object to a US law against foreign influence in US elections — unless the US definitively ends US efforts to influence other nations.)
I don’t claim to know the answer about US law, but it’s worth some thought. If there is no existing law against foreign hacking of US email accunts and/or influence in US elections, should there be? Why isn’t there? What is reasonable for the Electoral College or Congressional invesigators to do if nothing illegal was done?
If it isn’t illegal, why don’t the Democrats get someone to hack the Republicans?
If it is illegal to hack email and/or for foreign countries to influence US elections, will charges be filed before Jan. 20? If these are illegal and if there is proof that Trump made statements in favor of those crimes, what crimes can he be prosecuted for?
There are times when the American public is told charges are not filed and trials not held because the evidence is from intelligence sources which might be compromised in a trial.. Would this be a valid reason for not taking legal action against criminals who changed who the US president was?